Knicks close to acquiring former top pick Bargnani

Andrea Bargnani, a bust as the NBA's top pick in 2006 and a payroll albatross in Toronto, could have a new distinction: the New York Knicks' marquee acquisition of 2013.

The New York Knicks and the Raptors agreed to a deal Sunday that would bring Bargnani to New York for Steve Novak, Marcus Camby and a first-round draft pick in 2016, according to a person involved in the talks.

The trade was cast into limbo when the NBA did not immediately grant approval, but both teams expect to complete a modified version in the coming days. Consummation will have to wait until July 10, after the league's annual moratorium on trades and signings is lifted.

Bargnani, a 7-foot, 225-pound forward-center, never has delivered on his potential, averaging 15.2 points and 4.8 rebounds while playing consistently poor defense in seven seasons.

The Knicks desperately need frontcourt help but have limited options in free agency because they are far over the salary cap. For all his deficiencies, Bargnani is a capable scorer, and the Knicks are getting him without giving up a major rotation player.

Delfino averaged 10.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 67 games last season.

Brooks played in just seven games for Houston last season when the Rockets signed him after he was released by Sacramento.

Bayless back with Grizzlies: Grizzlies guard Jerryd Bayless exercised his player option and will return to Memphis next season.

Terms of the deal weren't released by the team. ESPN.com, the first to report Bayless' decision, said the player option would pay him $3.1 million. Bayless, 24, is averaging 8.3 points a game in his career.